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  1. #1
    PAQuilter's Avatar PAQuilter is offline Senior Member
    Binding Belle

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    Unhappy What's your method for doing HST's?

    I am doing the Craftsy BOM, for February we are doing 2 blocks, both with HST's. She is showing us 2 different methods for cutting them. One method is Jenny's method, sewing 2 blocks together with a 1/4" seam around the outside of the block, then cutting that from corner to corner to end up with 4 triangles, open and press for the HST's. The other methods is to place two black together, draw line down middle from corner to corner and then sew a 1/4" seam on each side of this line, then cut down the middle of the two seams and then open and press for the HST's.

    Shew, with all of that explained... my problem, so far have only done one block (Balkan Puzzle-using Jenny's method), is that my blocks are not going together nicely at all. I have ripped and resewed so many times, I may have to recut some of the squares! I have been very cautious about not stretching them since they are on the bias, but Arrrgghhhh!!! I still don't have my block sewed completely together yet. It is currently scattered around on the table. I am disgusted with it. Haven't even attempted to cut out the other block yet (Chevron) yet due to my frustration with this one. Someone did tell me that the 2nd method is better than Jenny's method. I don't know, what method do all of you use!! I didn't think that HST's were supposed to be this difficult!
    A fat quarter is NOT a body part!!

    ~Karen in PA~

  2. #2
    KatiesQuiltingCorner's Avatar KatiesQuiltingCorner is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: What's your method for doing HST's?

    I've always hated the work HST take when you want accurate units! You end up having to square each individual one... that is until I found the paper foundation method.

    Foundation Paper HST Method: http://www.katiesquiltingcorner.com/...-easy-and.html

    Depending on the size of the triangle you can make LOTS of units with one piece of paper - all ACCURATE!! I'm doing all my HST this way now. I had to do over 300 for the Bonnie Hunter mystery quilt and this made them so fast to do.
    Katie's Quilting Corner
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  3. #3
    Blondie's Avatar Blondie is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: What's your method for doing HST's?

    Katie is right. If you want the least amount of stretch for the bias, accuracy for points, then foundation or paper piecing is the way to go. I have made HST's all ways and they really are boogers
    Sewing mends the soul.

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  4. #4
    nyelphaba is offline Senior Member
    9 Patch Princess

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    Default Re: What's your method for doing HST's?

    I did the February blocks. I did not use Jenny's method because I did not want all those bias edges. I did heavily starch the fabric before I cut the fabric to help keep things from getting wonky. I do not resew a seam more than three times because my first quilting teacher said after ripping out three times you destroy the integrity of the fabric. Was this any help? Maybe, stop feeling bad and start fresh.

  5. #5
    Denis's Avatar Denis is online now Senior Member
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    Default Re: What's your method for doing HST's?

    One thing I learned early on is that when the directions ask you to cut your squares at, for example 2 7/8", or 2 3/8", I realised this didnt work for me as my HSTs never came out right.

    My method is to cut 2 squares the same size. On one side draw a line diagonally, sew 1/4" on both side of the line then cut in half. I always round up, ie 2 2/8" would be 3", 2 3/8" would 2 1/2" (or sometimes even more) I then would use a quilting ruler (6") to square it up.

    Afterwards, the first available ruler for this was a ruler by That Patchwork Place called 6" Bias Square up ruler. You pressed your HSTs open then placed the ruler's diagonal line along the seamline and trim ot the size you want.

    After this, Eleanor Burns came up with her square up ruler. Again you cut your squares oversize, sew, cut in half then lay the ruler over the unpressed HSTs, trim, then press open afterwards. This is the method I've used for many years and it's my preferred method.

  6. #6
    Marebear's Avatar Marebear is online now Senior Member
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    Default Re: What's your method for doing HST's?

    Thanks for the info! I'll have to try these methods since I also muck up my HSTs.

  7. #7
    Claire Hallman's Avatar Claire Hallman is online now Senior Member
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    Default Re: What's your method for doing HST's?

    When you used Jenny's method and the sizes mentioned on the Craftsy tute you definitely have to square up the triangles as they are way big. After doing both methods I still don't know what I prefer but cutting them larger and then trimming to size is much better for me. I do have some brand of square up template/ruler and it is a big help but time consuming. I had forgotten about using the E Burns way before pressing, will try that soon.

  8. #8
    Quiltlover's Avatar Quiltlover is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: What's your method for doing HST's?

    For some reason, I don't seem to have a problem with them. I usually do the method where you cut two squares and draw a diagonal line, if you need to, and sew on either side of that....1/4 inch seams. Maybe it's because I tend to make mine scant quarter inch seams. I started doing this all by hand and maybe that also tends not to stretch bias seams out of shape. Don't know but you'll find the method that works best for you and use that one. Try to loosen up and enjoy the process.

  9. #9
    PAQuilter's Avatar PAQuilter is offline Senior Member
    Binding Belle

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    Default Re: What's your method for doing HST's?

    Wow ladies,

    I appreciate all of the great advice!! This is my first endeavor at HST's and it has been an...... ah.... an eyeopener, to say the least!! Yuck, and I just bought a pattern day before yesterday to do a king-sized carpenters star, which I believe is alot of HST's, (I could be wrong though; I haven't had a chance to sit down and really look at the pattern yet). Earlier, I was griping to my hubby about the messed up triangles, and he said that maybe I should go cut it out again and use the other method (drawing the line corner to corner). I think I will do that. You all have given me hope! LOL Thanks!
    A fat quarter is NOT a body part!!

    ~Karen in PA~

  10. #10
    rebeccas-sewing's Avatar rebeccas-sewing is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: What's your method for doing HST's?

    The "Wondercut Ruler" is my best friend when it comes to 1/2 square triangles. If you're unfamiliar with it check it out on U-tube. It's one of the best rulers I've ever used! The other recommendation to cut your squares larger and square them up makes for extreme accuracy. I just love the "Wondercut Ruler" because it is super fast and very accurate - worth every penny.
    Rebecca in Baarn, Netherlands by way of Orange County, CA.

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